Why not use rear exit/stairs for aircraft deplaning?
Jul 28, 2020, 9:55 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Why is the Rear Exit of the Airplane Generally Not Used By Passengers in the United S
Stairs can be difficult to navigate and dangerous for the elderly aside from all other issues mentioned in this post.
Jul 28, 2020, 10:05 am
#48
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I do think it's sort of funny that every other country in the world seems to have no problem using airstairs and multiple entry/exit doors yet we in the US are unable to cope with it. I'd love to see the reaction of passengers if they start boarding the upper deck of A380s with airstairs, better have the AED ready at the top for some folks.
Probably wouldn't get too far if they were pumping Avgas into a DC-9 or 1-11. 
I'm pretty sure I've deplaned via the rear stairs on DC-9s, MD-80s, and 727s. I don't recall ever having markedly negative feelings about it.
I don't think I've ever flown on an MD-80, but I remember well from childhood the tail stairs on the DC-9 and the BAC 1-11. The smell of Avgas was horrible and I hated those stairs. This issue doesn't seem to apply on 737s and 320s, or maybe we are just further from the engine exhausts.
I'm pretty sure I've deplaned via the rear stairs on DC-9s, MD-80s, and 727s. I don't recall ever having markedly negative feelings about it.
Jul 28, 2020, 10:49 am
#49
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 20
Front and rear door access - on and off - is SOP at BUR where there are no jetbridges. Standard stairs at the rear door and a ramp affair in front. They can turn around flights in 20 minutes. Ironically, worst seats on the plane for getting out are the midplane exit rows.
Jul 28, 2020, 5:37 pm
#50
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Brisbane!
The last couple of times I was in Brisbane, Qantas was using the rear exit on domestic flights. Much faster!
Jul 29, 2020, 12:30 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2011
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They go back to the early 2000s as part of a trial. WN also had them at AUS/DAL IIRC but soon got rid of them. ALB kept theirs because they were owned/installed by ALB rather than WN. They were modified for the 738s but started to reach the of their service life and the airport decided not to replace them. They were only used at the cockpit's discretion and towards the end they weren't really used because of crews unfamiliarity with them. But boy, did they speed up deplaning. During boarding I remember them being a pain as you would have pax board using the rear door and then try to sit in row 1.
Jul 29, 2020, 6:59 pm
#53
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Could say the same thing for trains. In the UK, at least, passengers are expected to open the doors themselves. Do it in the US and you get a hefty fine!
Jul 29, 2020, 7:02 pm
#54
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Absolutely. I remember back when they had the ‘slam door’ trains in the UK. Open and close yourself all the time any time.
Jul 30, 2020, 3:06 am
#55
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Of course nowadays, opening the doors is simply a matter of pressing a button, similar to calling an elevator. Illuminated means you can open them, no light means they are locked. I think, even in the USA, people could get the hang of that. Of course, climbing a flight of stairs to an airplane really might be too much strain.
Jul 30, 2020, 2:11 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2010
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The airport has since retired them circa last December.
They go back to the early 2000s as part of a trial. WN also had them at AUS/DAL IIRC but soon got rid of them. ALB kept theirs because they were owned/installed by ALB rather than WN. They were modified for the 738s but started to reach the of their service life and the airport decided not to replace them. They were only used at the cockpit's discretion and towards the end they weren't really used because of crews unfamiliarity with them. But boy, did they speed up deplaning. During boarding I remember them being a pain as you would have pax board using the rear door and then try to sit in row 1.
They go back to the early 2000s as part of a trial. WN also had them at AUS/DAL IIRC but soon got rid of them. ALB kept theirs because they were owned/installed by ALB rather than WN. They were modified for the 738s but started to reach the of their service life and the airport decided not to replace them. They were only used at the cockpit's discretion and towards the end they weren't really used because of crews unfamiliarity with them. But boy, did they speed up deplaning. During boarding I remember them being a pain as you would have pax board using the rear door and then try to sit in row 1.
Sep 4, 2020, 4:33 am
#57
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